Preventing export of banned chemicals

Description

Preventing export of banned chemicals involves implementing strict regulatory controls, monitoring, and enforcement mechanisms to stop the international trade of substances prohibited due to health or environmental risks. This strategy ensures compliance with national and international laws, protects vulnerable populations and ecosystems, and closes loopholes exploited for illegal shipments. Key actions include licensing, customs inspections, information sharing, and penalties for violations, thereby directly addressing the problem of hazardous chemicals reaching markets where they are banned.

Implementation

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities. Agenda 21 recommends developing regulatory and non-regulatory measures and procedures aimed at preventing the export of chemicals that are banned, severely restricted, withdrawn or not approved for health or environmental reasons, except when such export has received prior written consent from the importing country or is otherwise in accordance with the PIC procedure.